LIBERTY, June 20, 2014 - A call to the Sheriff Department’s dispatcher at approximately 5:40am this morning regarding a “suspicious” back pack, closed the Rye Post Office for several hours while law enforcement could check out the item as a possible bomb.

Deputy Jonathan Clark responded to the scene and found a medium size back pack stuck under a desk in the public access area of the lobby. Sgt. Investigator Brian Bortz was called to the scene and due to the placement of the back pack which was wedged under the desk and behind a cross bar and the fact the public may be at risk should this item turn out to be a bomb, the post office was closed and secured by Sgt. Bortz at approximately 7:15am.

Agents from the F.B.I, ATF and members of the Baytown and Pasadena Task Force arrived and the Task Force x-rayed the item finding no bomb but rather clothing inside the pack.

There is no indication of who or why the back pack was placed where it was found but concern for public safety caused the post office to remain closed until approximately 11:am when it was reopened to the public.